Decking the halls and decorating the tree...

You remember me saying that we were going to decorate the tree Saturday night when I got home from work? Well that didn't happen. I mean, it kind of happened, but it was a major fail. You see, I picked up two strands of lights the other day. These were super bright LED lights. When we saw how big the tree was Friday, we knew we were going to need another strand of lights. So while we were in the store Friday after the tree farm, LaVaughn rushed to the Christmas decorations and grabbed another box of blue lights.

I knew something was off when the lady charged me just under $3 for them -- I paid $6 the other day, so this was either a hell of a bargain or the lights were off. sure enough, they were. The lights LaVaughn got were super dim next to the LED lights, so the middle strand on the tree were practically non-existent.

After we we had fits about that, we thought that maybe you wouldn't be able to notice them after we got the ornaments on and the garland. Again, HUGE fail! You most definitely could see the dim row of lights and the garland did nothing because we only had 3 strands that wouldn't even fit on the tree. I was ready to tear my hair out at this point and say screw it.

We decided to put everything on hold at this point. LaVaughn and I went to town after I closed the store Sunday and picked up two more boxes of LED lights and 3 strands of garland. It was the exact same garland, but it was close enough.

So today was the day. We completely stripped the tree of everything we had on it, turned on the best classic Christmas music and started over. The end result was worth all the worry and the hassle that we experienced over the weekend and what we have now is probably one of the prettiest trees we've ever had.

Lesson learned, though -- never get a White Pine tree ever again.

We also decorated most of the interior of the house. The pictures that I took aren't anything special because the house is a complete disaster. I'm not even sure I should post them, but what the hell.

Here they are:

I honestly think this is the prettiest tree we've ever had. Blue and silver is the perfect theme.

Beck's Tree Farm - 2016 Edition

We made it to our favorite tree farm on opening day this year. Surprisingly, the farm wasn't as busy as one would imagine it to be. Much busier than last year, but it was like 30 degrees last year and we were the only other people there aside from one couple that was leaving. It could be that they didn't have as many trees to choose from this year. But like I said, it's opening day and Black Friday, so I'm sure a lot of people were out shopping.

we browsed through a couple trees before LaVaughn and I my uncle found a really nice looking "fluffy" tree. My uncle kept commenting on how different it looked and how soft it was. He even picked it up to see how it looked. It really was pretty and tall, man that tree was tall. And full! It was so full that you couldn't see just how crooked the base of it was.

One of the employees finally made his was over to another couple next to us and my uncle was finally able to ask him what kind of tree it was. "A white pine!" he shouted. My uncle then began to ask him all about it. My aunt and I were reluctant to jump on the first nice looking tree, especially one that had such flimsy branches.

Since both my uncle and LaVaughn loved it so, we decided on it without further hesitation.

The inside of the small building where you paid for the tree had been completely gutted. This was one of the highlights last year as they had dozens of decorations and ornaments inside to choose from. They also had free coffee and hot cocoa, along with popcorn and a wood stove. They had none of that this year, which was a big disappointment.

We made it to Walmart shortly after to brave the Black Friday crowds, or what was left of them. LaVaughn and I went last night when Black "Friday" was in full swing. Aside from being more crowded than usual, it wasn't too bad. We left there with a gift for Shawna, the girl I work with, and something that my uncle wanted me to pick up for my aunt.

I made the mistake of riding in the backseat of my aunt and uncle's truck today. I paid for it too, I'm actually still paying for it. I get so, so sick when I'm in the backseat of vehicles. It's only gotten worse since I got older. Oh well, it's over and done now, no need to complain.

We were all too tired to decorate the tree tonight, so that will come tomorrow... AFTER I get home from work. Fun, fun.

Here are a fraction (24) of the nearly 70 pictures that I took today. Hope you enjoy!

The drive there:

The welcome sign:

(kinda crappy, but I was in the backseat)

They had this last year as well, I believe.

Pretty nice selection.

Others, not so much.

Have to have a portrait, of course.

I made him laugh right before this. :)

These are the White Pine trees.

See that tall one? That's the one they were after.

Personally, I like these.

Also a fair bit of people there today.

The employee -- slightly odd man.

Look how wide this thing it!

And tall! My uncle stands at 6'!

This guy could not get a good grip.

And he wouldn't even let my uncle help.

So off he went.

Surprisingly enough, they had pumpkins! They even had their own pumpkin field.

Packaging our tree:

This is one of my favorite things.

Love pictures like this.

I think I got one like this last year too.

That's all, folks! Hope you enjoyed our tree farm adventures this year. :)

Thanksgiving prep plus Black (Thursday) Friday deals!

We've been in full swing Thanksgiving Day prep since Monday, but hardcore today. The bread has been made, cake, pies, pumpkin rolls, cauliflower salad, potato dishes -- basically everything! We're also shifting all of the Christmas decorations around in the garage for Friday. It's our tradition, like many others, to get our tree the day after Thanksgiving.

We're also in Black Friday prep mode. We have everything written down for tomorrow after dinner, even though I know we'll forget the list or not even bother with it if we do remember. There are some amazing deals this year that I hope and pray we can get our hands on.

We go for the movies and games 70% of the time, but there are several other things that we want to get people. Our Christmas list is small this year in the way of people. Our family has disbanded over the years and changed. Aside from my sister, there are 3 other people that I care about buying for and being around -- my aunt, uncle and Shawna, the girl I work with. She doesn't have it easy and really needs something there that can care for her. Such a sweet girl, she shouldn't have to live the way she does.

That's for another time, I suppose.

I guess I need to stop blogging and finish cooking. Not too much time left to prep. I won't have time to blog tomorrow and there's a good chance I won't blog Friday due to more shopping and the tree farm. So until then, have a Happy Thanksgiving! Stay safe, have fun and most importantly, be thankful...

Cauliflower salad in the works!

I love how clean and festive the kitchen looked before we cooked again, lol.

Gotta have pumpkin rolls on Thanksgiving, and before. :)